Iran · Desert Adventure

8-Day Nature Tour of Iran with Badab-e Surt, Mesr Desert and Kashan

8 Days Round trip from Tehran Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 See the unique Badab-e Surt spring and its striking natural setting
  • 02 Explore Golestan province's protected landscapes with chances to spot local wildlife
  • 03 Take in a panoramic view of Turkmen Sahra from the shrine of Khaled Nabi
  • 04 Ride a camel and explore the sand dunes of the Mesr Desert

During this 8-day nature tour of Iran, travel along the Firuz Kuh road to visit the unique Badab-e Surt spring, explore Golestan province for local wildlife, and see the shrine of Khaled Nabi. Cross mountains, jungles, and desert landscapes, with time for camping, scenic viewpoints, and a camel ride in the Mesr Desert. The journey also includes Kashan, where you can visit the lush Fin Garden and the traditional Tabatabaei House, depending on your flight timing.

When you stand on this 45 km ridge, you will realize how it keeps the clouds and jungles on one side and the desert on the other side.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Kashan, Tehran, Damghan, Jandaq
Languages Arabic, Azerbaijani, English, French, German, Spanish, Turkish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrive in Tehran

  • Meet your tour guide at the IKA International Airport.

  • Reach the hotel. 

  • Enjoy a Tehran half day city tour in the afternoon, if time permits.

  • Stay overnight in Tehran at a hotel.

2
Day 02

Drive to Badab-e-Surt

  • Drive east in the morning by the Firuz Kuh road. 

  • Continue on your route to cross the mountains through our sneaky routes and dirt roads to get on the highest balcony at 3000 meters elevation. When you stand on this 45 km ridge, you will realize how it keeps the clouds and jungles on one side and the desert on the other side.

  • Have your lunch.

  • Cross the Parvar Protected Area before arriving at the unique spring of Badab-e Surt.

  • Visit this natural national heritage.

  • Set up your camp at the side of the forest in this area and prepare your dinner (local house accommodation is also possible upon request). 

  • Stay overnight at Badab-e Surt.

3
Day 03

Badabe Surt to Golestan National Park

  • Have your breakfast and take a walk on the grassland around the spring.

  • Continue through the dry water lines and dirt roads to arrive at a small desert with microclimate, lots of natural colours and shapes on the ground.

  • By lunch, cross the Golestan province. There are many protected areas, wildlife reserve and national parks in this area. Experts will choose one of these sights depending on the month, and the weather to better view the area. You can do an optional walk in the evening and the morning after. There is a high chance of seeing wildlife on these walks.

  • Camp at a place with a nice viewpoint in the evening (Local house accommodation is also possible upon request). 

  • Stay overnight in Golestan National Park.

4
Day 04

Golestan National Park to Turkmen Sahra

  • Have your breakfast.

  • Cross the last ridge of mountains to arrive at the north side and get into the area where Turkmen lives with their famous horses. We will get into the heart of this region.

  •  Drive up to the shrine of Khaled Nabi (which Turkmen believe him as a per-Islamic prophet) to see this entire vast region in one panoramic view.

  • Walk in the cemetery next to the shrine to see the unique stones used during ancient times. 

  • Watch a glorious sunset from up there.

  • Drive down and stay with the locals in their local house.

  • Camp overnight in Turkmen Sahra.
5
Day 05

Drive to Jandagh

  • Continue on your route to the south and cross the jungles and mountains to the desert side. 

  • Visit the shrine of Bayazid Bastami, a Persian Sufi known as “King of the Gnostics”.

  • Continue to Damghan.

  • Visit one of the old caravanserais on the famous old Silk Road on your way to Jandagh.

  • Stay overnight in Jandagh.

6
Day 06

Camel Ride in Mesr Desert

  • Have your breakfast.

  • Move towards the Mesr desert.

  • Do camel riding in the Mesr desert.

  • Explore the sand dunes, a pleasant activity in this region. Optional ride of ATV motors is also available at Mesr desert.

  • Camp in the Mesr Desert overnight. 

7
Day 07

Sightseeing in Kashan

  • Wake up in the desert today.

  • Have your lunch.

  • Move towards the Salt Lake and after sunset, drive towards Kashan.

  • Stay overnight in Kashan.

8
Day 08

Drive to the Airport

  • Visit the Fin Garden (WHS), a lush garden renowned as the epitome of the Persian gardens, depending on the flight timings. 

  • Enjoy a delightful atmosphere of water flowing from a natural spring through a series of turquoise-coloured pools and fountains.

  • Visit the Tabatabaei traditional house. 

  • Drive to the airport for your flight. 

Badab-e Surt spring, Mesr Desert sand dunes, Fin Garden, Tabatabai House

Where this trip takes you

Badab-e Surt spring, Mesr Desert sand dunes, Fin Garden, Tabatabai House

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Tehran 4 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Azerbaijani-, Spanish-, Turkish-, Arabic-, German-, French-, or English-speaking tour guide

  • Airport transfer

  • 7 nights of standard hotel and camp accommodation

  • All entrance fees

  • Air-conditioned vehicle based on group size

  • All meals on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)

What's Not Included

  • International flights

  • Visa fees

  • Any private expenses

  • Tips and gratuities

Know before you go

Pricing:

  • 900 USD per group (* + 8 people)

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Tour start
Tehran, Tehran Province, Iran
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Tehran.

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